I recommend everyone who comes to Rome to visit at least one church in the Eternal City and if the long line to get into St Peter’s Basilica is too much of an effort for you then I am happy to tell you there are so many other churches worth visiting. Rome has more than 900 churches but many of them tend to be a little bit hidden. Not necessarily hard to get to but disguised and their discrete facades does not advertise their rich interiors, which make them not attract spontaneous visitors. Discover our top Churches is Rome that you need to add to your bucket list.

#1 Santa Maria in Trastevere

One of the oldest churches in Rome and located in the center of Trastevere: a cute neighborhood with many small streets and a rich nightlife. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and one of the most beautiful features of the church is the mosaic in the aps by the 13^th century artist Pietro Cavallini. Unfortunately the mosaic is not well lit and you have to pay to turn on the lights by adding coins in a box located in the left aisle. If you are lucky someone might already have paid and you get to enjoy the golden mosaic for free.

#2 Santa Maria Sopra di Minerva

Just around the corner from the Pantheon you can find this amazing church. This structure is an excellent example of a “well hidden church”, but do go inside because the decorations inside is amazing with a lovely blue ceiling. The church also houses Michelangelo’s sculpture of Christ the Redeemer.

#3 Pantheon

This ancient temple got turned into a church in the 7^th century and is one of the most unique churches in Rome. With mathematical calculations the relations has been measured to create an exceptional sense of space and the concrete dome has a hole (oculus) which is always open all year around, even when it rains. Like the other churches Pantheon is free to visit but there has been a debate lately that Rome might establish an entrance free. Lets hope they won’t!

#4 San Clemente

As many of the other sites in Rome this place has many layers of history. The current church is from the 12^th century but beneath it one can visit structures from the 4^th and 1^st century AD, and also some parts of a villa built by a noble roman during the Roman Empire. To see San Clemente is so much more than to see a church! I strongly recommend a visit to this church. If you are interested in a more in-depth visit than just walking around, then I recommend you to have a look at our Catacombs & Underground Rome Tour where we visit San Clement together with a professional guide.

#5 St John Lateran Basilica

If you would like to visit a church strongly associated with the Vatican but the line to get into St Peter’s Basilica does seem to be a bit much then a visit to the other side of Rome and the much less crowded Basilica of St John Lateran is a must. St John Lateran is actually the Cathedral of Rome and the ecclesial seat of the Pope and is located next to the papal residence.

#6 Santa Maria Maggiore

Dedicated to Virgin Mary and beautifully decorated but very simple in its interior architectural design. It has the exact plan as the early St Peter’s Basilica that was built during the time of Constantine. It is the largest church dedicated to Mary and has therefore been given the names as the major church of Virgin Mary in Rome.

#7 Santa Sabina

Located in the Aventine Hill we can find this wonderful church. It was once richly decorated but has been stripped of its former decorations. Well worth seeing is the framed hole in the floor that shows a column from a temple placed at the same location long before the church was erected. The church also has a beautiful garden with a great view over the Tiber River.

#8 San Luigi dei Francesi (Church of St Louis of the French)

Not far from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona we can find this 16^th century church dedicated to Virgin Mary and king Louis IX, king of France. What is most spectacular about this is the Contarelli Chapel where one can find three masterpieces by the Italian painter Caravaggio.

Now all there are only suggestion. It would not be possible to see them all. Use this post as a help to find maybe one or two in the neighborhood you are staying in or will visit. To visit a church is free and I encourage to see them from a historical perspective. When in Rome take the chance to see the rich interior decorations that has been designed to impress visitors for centuries. Just remember to be dressed appropriately. This means: cover your shoulders and knees, even if only by wrapping a scarf around you.